If you’re looking for authenticity at a low price, get ready to become addicted. Pho Bang New York stands out neither by trendy decor nor by star service… but by its warm and lively atmosphere, generous portions, and genuine Vietnamese expertise. Far from polished restaurants and sanitized chains, Pho Bang New York pulls you by the hand into a crowded Chinatown, where wobbly tables speak of authenticity, where a hint of chaos creates connections… at the risk of feeling a bit close to your neighbors. A restaurant where Vietnamese food lovers will be happy, provided you remember to bring cash. (An ATM is available… with a fee.)

The prices are clearly affordable, which in my opinion affects the quality of the ingredients. The portions are generous, and you will surely get your money’s worth. I started with a pork spring roll with minced pork that lacked depth, and I was unlucky enough to get a piece with some cartilage. Next, I had a bun bo (rice vermicelli and beef) executed perfectly, with subtly spiced beef laid on a bed of vermicelli. However, the nems that accompanied the dish could, in my opinion, have been homemade in the pure Vietnamese tradition.

The menu also includes Tonkinese soups, probably to please customers, which makes me a little sad as it disrupts a harmony that would have reminded me of my trip to Hanoi.

Since the day was hot, I avoided the famous pho, which made this restaurant’s reputation as one of the best pho places in Chinatown. I promised myself to come back during one of Montreal’s long winters to warm up with